MIAMI — A Honduran national was extradited Friday from his native country to the United States to face conspiracy charges related to cocaine distribution. The charges resulted from an investigation conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Carlos Arnoldo Lobo, aka Negro, 39, allegedly owned and operated several dozen vessels off the eastern coast of Honduras which he outfitted to smuggle cocaine. The drugs were shipped from Colombia and Panama to Honduras, then into Guatemala and beyond, including Mexico and ultimately the United States. Lobo allegedly controlled drug shipments into and out of the eastern coast of Honduras.

To date the investigation, which started in December 2009, has resulted in the indictment and conviction of numerous drug traffickers who worked for Lobo. The suspects would coordinate the smuggling of cocaine onto Lobo's vessels for shipment to the United States. The superseding indictment charges Lobo with conspiring to distribute cocaine, knowing that the cocaine would be imported into the United States, and conspiring to distribute cocaine onboard a vessel subject to the jurisdiction of the United States.

"The arrest of Lobo is a significant victory. Lobo's arrest and extradition to the United States has led to the dismantling of an egregious trafficking organization," said Alysa D. Erichs, special agent in charge of HSI Miami. "This case highlights the effective collaboration between HSI, DEA and our international law enforcement partners."

U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer stated, "The arrest and extradition of Carlos Arnoldo Lobo is the direct result of strong international cooperation with Honduran authorities. It also reflects the hard work, commitment, and perseverance of our Honduran and U.S. law enforcement partners to stem the flow of cocaine into the United States. Lobo was extradited from Honduras for his alleged involvement in the distribution of hundreds of kilos of cocaine, knowing that the cocaine would be imported into the United States. Now that Lobo has been extradited, he will stand trial in the United States for the serious crimes for which he is charged."

DEA Special Agent in Charge Mark R. Trouville stated, "The DEA appreciates the cooperation of the Honduran law enforcement authorities in the arrest and extradition of Carlos Lobo. The DEA remains committed to working with our international counterparts to bring in the most significant drug traffickers to face justice for their crimes."

The indictment of Lobo is the result of an ongoing Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation led by HSI, in conjunction with the DEA Miami Field Division. The OCDETF program identifies, disrupts and dismantles the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations, and those primarily responsible for the nation's illegal drug supply.